Books by Blei: Home of the Brave

Home of the Brave

by Katherine Applegate

Recommended by: Elizabeth K.
 

This book is about a boy named Kek who is from Uganda in Africa. He is brought to Minnesota because he lost his dad and brother and doesn't know where his mother is. In Minnesota he meets a guy named Dave who helps him with things and takes him places and teaches him to speak English. Dave brings him to his aunt's house to live with them. Kek is still mad and sad about the loss of his family while trying to get used to the ways of America. He worries about his mom every day. He hopes she will come to live with him.

Also on his journey, he meets a girl named, Hannah, and she becomes his friend. She takes him places, shows him many new things and how to use things. Kek also gets a job at a farm. Kek also goes to school and learns that there are other people that came from other countries that have trouble learning English. Everybody has problems and comes from different places. Does Kek find his mother? Does he learn English? Kek is brave!

This book was:  Very good and I loved it!

I would recommend this book to: Middle schoolers!
A/R Level: 3.5 MG

A/R Points: 7 points

I rate this book:

 

Books by Blei: The Face On the Milk Carton

 

The Face On the Milk Carton

by Caroline B. Cooney

Recommended by: Serenti L. & Elizabeth K.
 

A girl named Janie was kidnapped from a shopping mall in New Jersey when she was 3-years-old. One day at school, Janie see her friend's milk carton and turns the milk carton over and sees a picture of a missing girl. Janie knows right away it is her. She tells her friends it is her, but they don't believe her so she begins to question if the girl is really her. Does she ever find out who she is?

This book was:  Good.

I would recommend this book to: Everyone in upper grades.

A/R Level: 4.8 UG

A/R Points: 6 points

I rate this book:

 

Books by Blei: The Thief Lord

 

The Thief Lord

by Cornelia Funke

Recommended by: Jade Y.
 

This book is about Prosper and Bo; two adventurous brothers who escape to Venice, Italy. At the same time they are being chased by a detective named Victor. Having nowhere to stay, The Thief Lord takes them under his wing and shelters them at an abandoned movie theater named "The Star Palace". Along with them there were other kids who the Thief Lord takes in. Little do they know, he has a secret. In order to make money, the Thief Lord has to steal things from rich people. His ultimate goal is to find a "magical object". Will he ever find it?

This book was:  Fun and exciting.

I would recommend this book to: People who like adventure and Italy.

A/R Level: 4.8 UG

A/R Points: 13 points

I rate this book:

 

Books by Blei: HIdden Talents

Hidden Talents

by David Lubar

Recommended by: Sabit Wagad

Hidden Talents is about a boy who says bad things to people. He has a dorm room with a kid named Torchie, who sets fires, and that is why he is at Edge View Alternative School. There is also a kid named Cheater, who got the name from cheating. A boy named Lucky, is very lucky because he supposedly steals things. A kid named Trahs, throws things around. They are all in the school because of the talents they don't know of. Throughout the book they figure out their talents and how to control them.

This book was:  Fantasy.

I would recommend this book to: People who like superpowers.

A/R Level: 4.2 UG

A/R Points: 7 points

I rate this book:

Books by Blei: Snatched

Snatched

by Pete Hautman and Mary Logue

Recommended by: Soleil S.

Roni Delicatea works for her school newspaper, The Bloodwater Pump. As a dedicated investigative reporter, she wants to be the first to know what's going on with Alicia Camden, a student who has been coming to school with mysterious cuts and bruises. But when Alicia suddenly disappears into thin air, Roni and her new friend, Brian Bain, (both being suspended from school) head their own personal investigation for Alicia. They first head to the unusual Wolf Spider Island to track some info on a lead suspect. But when more and more suspects with interesting motives keep popping up, will they ever find her? And how will their parents respond to their suspension?

This book was: Full of adventure and excitement.

I would recommend this book to: People who like mystery.

A/R Level: MG

A/R Points: 5 points

I rate this book:

Books by Blei: Beaten

Beaten

by Suzanne Weyn

Recommended by: Natasha, Dayanna, and Lami

This book is about a high school girl named Paige, who gets beaten by her boy friend, Ty. Ty gets annoyed by everything she says. Paige has low self-esteem. Ty beats her over crazy stuff. Paige presses assault charges against Ty. Some people don't believe Paige and think she hurt herself to get attention. Paige gets a counselor. She meets someone who has the same issues and tells Paige to never let a man hit her. Does Paige ever leave the boy she thought she loved?

I would recommend this book to: Anyone who likes to read about problems.

A/R Level: 4.0 MG

A/R Points: 2 points

I rate this book:

Books by Blei: Beware, Princess Elizabeth

Beware, Princess Elizabeth

by Carolyn Meyer

Recommended by: Cecelia N.

This story takes place in England in the 1500's. We see a 13-year-old princess Elizabeth grow through the years. But as she grows, she has to go through the death of her brother, her love, and being thrown in the Tower by her own sister, Mary, the queen. Through all these tragedies, will she ever earn the throne?

This book was: A daring adventure with many twists.

I would recommend this book to: Anyone who loves history or the stories of princes and princesses.

A/R Level: 7.2 MG

A/R Points: 8 points

I rate this book:

Books by Blei: Dead End in Norvelt

Dead End in Norvelt

by Jack Gantos

Recommended by: Turiya S.

Middleschooler, Jack Gantos, lives in the small town of Norvelt. He has gotten himself grounded for life and has to work for his old neighbor, Miss Volker. They write obituaries for the original Norveltors (the first people in Norvelt) as her duty to First Lady, Eleanor Roosevelt. Mr. Spizz, a man who rides on a tricycle and polices the town, is waiting for her to do that so he can marry her. Mysteriously, the ladies are dying one after another. Miss Volker thinks it is from old age, but is it?

This book was: Relatable and mysterious.

I would recommend this book to: Middle School boys.

A/R Level: 5.7 MG

A/R Points: 12 points

I rate this book:

Ms. Bandy reviews: The Running Dream

The Running Dream

by Wendelin Van Draanen

This book hooked me from the beginning. The main character, Jessica, faces an unimaginable injury. I connected with her right away because I am a runner too and I began to wonder how I would respond if I were in her situation. Jessica puts her mind on recovery and overcomes!

   - Reviewed by Ms. Bandy

 

Books by Blei: Stolen Children

Stolen Children

by Peg Kehret

Recommended by: Latifah S.

Stolen Children is about a 14-year old who is babysitting her neighbors 3-year old, Kendra. Then men come and kidnap the little girl and later come back and kidnap the babysitter. They keep the two girls for a week, and their parents are really worried. The kidnappers make ransom videos, not knowing the babysitter is leaving clever clues in the videos.
Do the girls ever get rescued?

This book was: Interesting

I would recommend this book to: Mrs. Blei

A/R Level: 4.6 MG

A/R Points: 6 points

I rate this book: